(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone Fantasy series. Illustrated by Lesley Harker. Tam searches for his baby sister, stolen by the fairies with a goblin baby left in her place. Their great-grandfather sets Tam on his way with a favorite object (Tam's treasured kaleidoscope) to give the Fairy King. This contemporary-set story, illustrated with delicate line art, neatly incorporates elements of Scottish folklore.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Stepping Stone Fantasy series. Illustrated by Allen Douglas. Though the first chapter explains that monsters aren't real, this book confuses the issue with statements such as: "A Cyclops was a type of giant that lived in Greece." Italicized excerpts of legends attempt to provide context. The tense and narrative voice frequently shift, adding some drama but also potential confusion. Cartoonish paintings depict each menacing creature.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Stepping Stone Fantasy series. Illustrated by Mel Grant. This book presents different cultures' legends about mermaids, from the German nix, Norwegian havfine, and Japanese ningyos to the ancient Syrian goddess of the moon, Atargis, and West Africa's Mami Wata. Though the comparisons are interesting, the flow of information is choppy, and it's hard to discern fact from legend. The illustrations are appropriately varied to suit each interpretation.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz